Volunteers pack boxes during the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign, in support of Turkey and Syria, at the Adnec conference halls in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Volunteers pack boxes during the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign, in support of Turkey and Syria, at the Adnec conference halls in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Volunteers pack boxes during the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign, in support of Turkey and Syria, at the Adnec conference halls in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Volunteers pack boxes during the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign, in support of Turkey and Syria, at the Adnec conference halls in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers to help pack food parcels in Dubai on Monday for earthquake victims


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Crowds of volunteers are expected to come together for charity on Monday as help is needed to pack food parcels for earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey.

It is the latest relief effort of the UAE's Bridges of Giving campaign run by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Initiatives, which works with Emirates Red Crescent to get aid to those most in need.

The event is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre on March 13 between 9am and 6pm.

In February, members of the public were happy to give up their spare time to help box up essential supplies bound for both nations, at a Bridges of Giving event held at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.

Vital goods such as dry food and warm bedding were packed into boxes.

The Emirates Red Crescent gift boxes also included poignant letters of support written by children.

The death toll from the devastating natural disaster has surpassed 50,000.

Millions more people have been affected after the earthquake — and subsequent aftershocks — flattened thousands of buildings.

The UAE has joined the international community in coming to the aid of both countries.

Ten Syrian earthquake survivors arrived in Abu Dhabi to receive crucial medical treatment. The patients were transported on a special evacuation flight which included doctors, anaesthesiologists, technicians and paramedics along with the latest medical equipment.

The mission was carried out by Emirates Red Crescent in partnership with the Syrian Ministry of Health, under the directive of Sheikha Fatima, Mother of the Nation.

Five adult patients were taken to Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, while children aged nine, 10, 12, 14 and 16 were transferred to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.

The UAE has offered Syria a fleet of 10 new ambulances as part of Operation Gallant Knight 2, the UAE's humanitarian mission to help the quake-hit country.

The move was approved by the Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Emirates Red Crescent.

Earlier in February, thousands of volunteers offered a helping hand in packing aid for those affected by the deadly quake at events held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Expo City Dubai’s exhibition centre.

The UAE has delivered more than 3,000 tonnes of aid on more than 100 flights.

Earthquake aid collection at Expo City Dubai: in pictures

  • Volunteer pack aid in Expo City Dubai on Sunday to be delivered to those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Volunteer pack aid in Expo City Dubai on Sunday to be delivered to those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The initiative was part of the UAE's Bridges of Giving campaign, led by Emirates Red Crescent
    The initiative was part of the UAE's Bridges of Giving campaign, led by Emirates Red Crescent
  • Volunteers turned out in force for the humanitarian event on Sunday
    Volunteers turned out in force for the humanitarian event on Sunday
  • Boxes filled with vital supplies will be delivered to quake zones in Turkey and Syria
    Boxes filled with vital supplies will be delivered to quake zones in Turkey and Syria
  • It is the latest aid effort organised under the Bridges of Giving campaign
    It is the latest aid effort organised under the Bridges of Giving campaign
  • People were happy to give their free time during the weekend to support those in need
    People were happy to give their free time during the weekend to support those in need
  • Staple goods were packed in boxes to be sent off to Turkey and Syria as part of the UAE's relief mission
    Staple goods were packed in boxes to be sent off to Turkey and Syria as part of the UAE's relief mission
  • Boxes are packed at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City
    Boxes are packed at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City
  • The crucial supplies will help those struggling to piece their lives together after the natural disaster
    The crucial supplies will help those struggling to piece their lives together after the natural disaster
  • An army of volunteers lent a helping hand to the humanitarian effort
    An army of volunteers lent a helping hand to the humanitarian effort
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

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The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Reputation

Taylor Swift

(Big Machine Records)

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

RESULT

Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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FA Cup semi-finals

Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)

Matches on Bein Sports

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.

Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.

The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.

South Africa's T20 squad

Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.

MATCH INFO

What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

RESULT

Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

Updated: March 12, 2023, 7:20 PM